A Village with 2 Names…and a TV Set

High on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors can be found a village with two names.  Its real name is Goathland… but its TV name is Aidensfield.  From 1992 to 2010 it was the film set for 18 series of the Police Procedure Series “Heartbeat”…. What made the series popular was that it was set in those heady days of the 1960’s, linking it to all the hit tunes of the time as a soundtracks, it was and is easy watching.  The series is still popular with re-runs on the streaming channels.

Goathland would always have been a village on the Moors tourist route. At a cross roads of moorland roads, but also on a railway line with its own station.  Like many British rural railways it was compulsory closed….. but that might have been a blessing as a Heritage Railway Group secured the line, and now run both Steam and 60’s Diesels for tourist trips, in fact has a very full time table schedule.

Visitors today have that strange mix of Goathland and its alter ego Aidensfield.  Reminders of the 60’s and Heartbeat mix with tourist shops catering for visitors, memorable buildings that were pressed into film sets still retain their adopted character.   Of course, the most unchanged is the Goathland Railway Station…. take a trip or just potter around and visualise the past years of its heritage…. plus of course the steam trains. But watch out for the locals that wander, grazing the village, so mind your step…. yep the Swaledale Sheep rule! The Bus Stop even has a gate on it to keep them out.

It is some years since we visited, but I guess it is still unchanged… what I do know is that this part of the North Yorkshire Moors and Goathland, sorry Aidensfield, are still high on the tourist trail. Many will arrive by Steam Train a real treat.

Wherever you are today… enjoy…. and as always….

Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

3rd September
(C) David Oakes 2026